As you can see, bowel health and hygiene is a complex subject! Defecation is a simple but crucial function, and constipation can cause problems ranging from relatively harmless hemorrhoids to diverticulitis with life-threatening rupture to cancer and even death.

The current recommendations for healthy bowel movements include eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet, drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily, and exercising regularly. Folic acid is currently being studied for its potential to decrease the incidence of colon cancer.

Remember, those aged 50 and up, should have regular rectal exams to look for microscopic blood (and to check the size and shape of the prostate, in men). Men and women older than 50 should have a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy (a flexible tube is inserted into your colon to look for precancerous polyps) every 5 years or a colonoscopy every 10. People who have a family history of colon cancer or other bowel problems need to be screened sooner, so discuss this with your physician.

Click here for current articles and streaming video on the topics addressed in this guide.

Other excellent resources regarding one’s bowel movements and general bowel health can be purchased through Amazon.com by clicking below.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome & the Mind-Body Brain-Gut Connection: An 8-Step 12-Week Plan for Living a Healthy Life With a Functional Bowel Disorder or Colitis (by William Bradley, William B. Salt II M.D.)
• Put Hemorrhoids and Constipation Behind You : New Treatment and Technology for 2 of Todays Most Common Yet Least Talked-About Problems (by Kenneth Yasney, M.D.)
• The Gas We Pass : The Story of Farts (by Shinta Cho): a terrific kid’s book on gas.
• Everyone Poops (by Taro Gomi): a terrific kid’s book on bowel movements.

Finally, your own physician is a perhaps the best resource on this and other health topics. Though you may feel embarrassed bringing it up, keep in mind your doctor sees and discusses these and other bowel problems on a daily basis - don’t be afraidtoask…

Thank you again for supporting AfraidToAsk.com. Please consider filling out the anonymous survey before you leave. We take your comments seriously!